Author Topic: My first Elm Bow  (Read 6960 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Zion

  • Member
  • Posts: 783
  • The blacksmith's mare walks barefoot
My first Elm Bow
« on: May 11, 2013, 06:24:59 pm »
You hear a lot of good words about elm and what i think is Chinese elm grows all over here.... so i cut some logs off a fallen tree. Wow, this stuff splits so easy! Overall i am very impressed with it. Seems very hard wood for it's weight, kinda like chokecherry...
75#@24"
Not sure on length, the grip is elm bark.
The secret of life is learning to make your own luck.

Offline ionicmuffin

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,787
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #1 on: May 11, 2013, 06:30:13 pm »
Well, considering that the knots dont seem to be a problem even though they are at the edge id say its a great bow wood whatever elm it is. Nice job.
Amo innectis arcus- I love crafting bows (latin)

Offline bow101

  • Member
  • Posts: 2,235
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #2 on: May 11, 2013, 07:04:03 pm »
Nice one Zee..! I have to see if any of that Elm is in my parts,..... ::)
"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are."  Joseph Campbell

Offline Joec123able

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,769
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #3 on: May 11, 2013, 09:12:00 pm »
You said it was easy to split? I've always heard elms are the toughest to split
I like osage

Offline Hrothgar

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,477
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #4 on: May 11, 2013, 09:39:05 pm »
Good job tillering. 75# ...impressive, I bet it flings an arrow well.
" To be, or not to be"...decisions, decisions, decisions.

Offline Thesquirrelslinger

  • Member
  • Posts: 1,245
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #5 on: May 11, 2013, 09:39:54 pm »
You said it was easy to split? I've always heard elms are the toughest to split
Agreed.
Maybe chinese elm is easy.
I have a cool pic of where I got a wedge stuck in a 6" log and can't split the thing(with a sledge at least) and can't get the wedge either.
How does it shoot?
"Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results"

Offline Badly Bent

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,750
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #6 on: May 11, 2013, 09:44:12 pm »
I'm liking it Zion, got alot of character. How do you like working something knotty for a change? Usually we see bows from clean, knot free, easy to work wood from you. ;) ;)  :)
I ain't broke but I'm badly bent.

Offline darodalaf

  • Member
  • Posts: 5
  • Luthier, Bowyer, Brewer, Archaeologist, Linguist
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #7 on: May 12, 2013, 02:36:39 pm »
Gnarly looking bow. I like it a lot.

For what its worth, Siberian Elm is often mistakenly called Chinese Elm and is far more widespread. They were introduced to North America from the same region of interior Asia in huge numbers to serve as urban street trees and rural hedge trees with the Siberian variety being more widespread and the Chinese type mainly (but not exclusively) in warmer states. Chinese Elm tend to be quite a bit smaller and have smaller leaves than the Siberian. Both have -much- smaller leaves than the American and European types.

Offline steve b.

  • Member
  • Posts: 999
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #8 on: May 12, 2013, 04:09:30 pm »
Great bow, nice job as usual

Offline Trapper Rob

  • Member
  • Posts: 3,719
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #9 on: May 12, 2013, 04:16:57 pm »
Sweet bow like the knots.
Rob

Offline Jodocus

  • Member
  • Posts: 897
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #10 on: May 12, 2013, 04:24:04 pm »
Nice one, very distinct.
Don't shoot!

Offline Zion

  • Member
  • Posts: 783
  • The blacksmith's mare walks barefoot
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #11 on: May 12, 2013, 10:59:30 pm »
Thanks for the nice words guys!
Muffin i guess i don't understand why knots at the edge would be a problem...? the wood seems very hard and strong for its weight tho.
Bow101 i think it's probably pretty universal, the stuff around me is really tough for surviving the desert out here.
Thanks Hrothgar, considering the s***y job i did on the ring chasing i think this wood can take some serious weight!
Thanks BB, well i just cut some more elm the other day, and there's a straight clean stave in there from the bottom of the trunk, it kinda scares me!
Thanks Darodalaf, i'm just glad it's good bow-wood.
Thanks Steve!
Thanks Rob, yeah those look pretty cool, doesn't seem to weaken the bow at all either.
Thanks Jodocus, glad ya like it.
Again thanks for the nice words!
The secret of life is learning to make your own luck.

Offline dmc

  • Member
  • Posts: 136
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #12 on: May 13, 2013, 11:41:25 am »
I've always been a fan of your work Zion, you pump out some nice stuff.
I'm really liking your character bows. Thanks for sharing.
Carpe Diem- Seize the Day!!

Offline dmenzies1950

  • Member
  • Posts: 171
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #13 on: May 13, 2013, 04:15:45 pm »
Cool Bow Zion, I like your work, and it's true, you do build some gnarly bows! I am amazed at the heavy bows you turn out with what some of us would consider," challenging," wood! Good job!
Dale 
"His bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel." Genesis 49:24

Offline bubby

  • Member
  • Posts: 11,054
Re: My first Elm Bow
« Reply #14 on: May 13, 2013, 04:42:38 pm »
this is quite a departure from your usually straight, knot free bows ::) :laugh:, another nice one Zion, Bub
failure is an option, everyone fails, it's how you handle it that matters.
The few the proud the 27🏹